I want to share my recent experience updating the wiring on an SP-20 motor to add ground. (Disclaimer: I am not an electrician although I consulted with an electrician.) My press arrived with the power cord cut off where it exited the press. So, I needed to add a plug anyway and decided it would […]
MoreMore TagCategory: SP series
SP-20 No Impression
I’m working on the rebuild of my (previously) dismantled SP-20 and I’m finally ready to test the impression. After calculating the correct amount of packing for a .019″ sheet (.024) on a cylinder with an undercut of 040 I proceeded to attempt a blind proof. There was nothing, not even when I added another .006 […]
MoreMore TagSP 15
Hello everyone. I bought a Vandercook SP 15, I have no experience in the subject and I would like to know the basic steps to start cleaning and remove rust from the rollers. The machine was not used in the last 10 years and may be missing some small pieces although the car moves and […]
MoreMore TagSP25 carriage gear adjustment
I have a problem with the large power carriage motor gear touching the edge of the carriage. Not sure I’m using the correct terminology but I have attached a photo. I had this problem once before and was able to correct it but now I can’t remember what I did. (I took off the cap […]
MoreMore TagSP20 Issue After Print
Hi all, I’m working with an SP20 and after I run through a print to the end of the bed and roll back to the feed board I hit some resistance about 6 inches before returning the cylinder the entire way back. Here is a video: IMG_0760 I’ve checked the screws and bolts I can […]
MoreMore TagSP-20 Taper pins in ink system lever bar
I’m in the process of putting back together a heavily desconstructed SP-20 #29569. I suspect (pictured top) these are taper pins that connect through the rod (picturesed 2nd) that raises and lowers the ink system. The pins are pretty stuck in place, so before I put a ton effort into trying to loose them, I […]
MoreMore TagSP-20 Restoration: Adding oil to the motor.
I recently acquired a Vandercook SP-20 in great need of restoration. I’ll be tackling this project over the coming months and will be posting progress and questions as I go along. Luckily, I have most of the major parts! I decided to start with some low-hanging fruit: check to see if the motor had any […]
MoreMore TagSP-15 roller adjustment
We can’t get the back form roller on the SP-15 to lower on the gear side only–it can’t go lower than a narrow sliver (less than 1/16″) on the roller setting gauge, no matter how much you turn the knob. We can adjust this back roller’s height on the operator side, and the front roller […]
MoreMore TagSP15 form roller (the one on the right) is moving, getting chewed up a little
I am not able to secure the form roller. The screws at both ends loosen and it moves. As it does a small portion is chewed up in the gear track. How do I fix that? I have a video, but I am not sure how to send it to you.
MoreMore TagVandercook SP15, lowering gear side of rear form roller
The gear side of the rear roller on our SP15 will not lower enough to hit a roller-setting gauge. It does have a range of motion, just will not descend low enough to contact the gauge on the gear side. The roller measures about 1/8″ less than 2 1/2″ in diameter. The tip diameter of […]
MoreMore TagSP 20 Trip Assembly misaligned on one side
Hi all, I’m the new caretaker of an SP 20 (serial 23442). I’ve been investigating a carriage jam issue and have found that the trip assembly on the non-operator side of the carriage (X-21755) is sitting much lower than on the operator side. Because of this, the rogue trip arm has been scraping against the […]
MoreMore TagSP15 issue – uneven inking along length of bed
Not sure why I always run into issues when on deadlines… Having an issue where I get an impression but there just isn’t any ink on the form and would love to hear any thoughts on what the problem/solution might be. The uneven inking is happening for the length of the press bed. Was printing […]
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